The Art of the Possible: Social Innovation, AI & Cloud Tech for Impact

Explore how AI, social innovation, and powerful partnerships can turn bold ideas into real-world impact with AWS's Kat Esser.

What if the next big breakthrough isn't just about what technology can do—but who it can empower?

Some of the most exciting innovations happening today aren't simply creating new products or disrupting industries. They're expanding access to healthcare, reimagining education, making communities more inclusive, and creating opportunities that didn't exist before.

And behind these breakthroughs are people who dared to ask: What if we approached this differently?

Join Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship (WTE) for a fireside chat, featuring Kat Esser, Principal of Global Impact Accelerators at Amazon Web Services (AWS), and hosted by WTE Advocacy Chair, Dr. Sarah Matthews, in a candid conversation about the intersection of entrepreneurship, emerging technology, collaboration, and social impact.

With more than two decades of experience advancing social innovation across healthcare, accessibility, education, and global development, Kat has helped bring together entrepreneurs, corporations, governments, and communities to tackle complex challenges and turn ambitious ideas into scalable solutions.

From helping social entrepreneurs harness cloud and AI technologies to developing inclusive initiatives that have expanded across entire regions, Kat's work demonstrates what becomes possible when innovation is grounded in human needs—and supported by the right partnerships.

Together, we'll explore what it takes to recognize opportunities others overlook, build solutions that matter, and bring people together to create impact far beyond what any one organization could accomplish alone.

You don't have to be a social entrepreneur to be a changemaker. You just have to recognize where your ideas, expertise, and influence can make a difference.

What We'll Explore

Through an engaging fireside conversation and live audience Q&A, we'll explore five dimensions of turning possibility into progress:

✨ The Spark: Finding Your Opportunity to Make a Difference

How do innovators recognize unmet needs, discover their purpose, and identify opportunities to create meaningful change? Hear how Kat's journey across industries and sectors shaped her approach to social innovation.

💡 Building Solutions: Where AI, Technology & Human Needs Meet

Discover how entrepreneurs and organizations are using emerging technologies to tackle challenges in healthcare, education, accessibility, and beyond—and why inclusive design can unlock better innovations for everyone.

🤝 Scaling Impact: The Power of Unexpected Partnerships

Great ideas rarely scale alone. Explore how cross-sector collaboration, strategic partnerships, and innovation ecosystems can turn promising projects into sustainable, far-reaching solutions.

🚀 The Art of the Possible: Imagining What's Next

As AI reshapes what's possible, where are the biggest opportunities to democratize access, expand opportunity, and create positive change? And how do we ensure the next wave of innovation doesn't leave people behind?

🎯 From Inspiration to Action: Your Role in Creating Change

You don't need a massive budget, a groundbreaking invention, or a nonprofit to make an impact. Explore practical ways to use your skills, connections, influence, and ideas to advance innovation and expand opportunity in your own work and community.

We'll close with live audience Q&A and the WTE Founder's Five, our signature rapid-fire questions exploring innovation, leadership, technology, and the future.

Who Should Attend?

This conversation is for people who believe technology and entrepreneurship can—and should—make the world better.

Whether you're a startup founder, technology professional, corporate innovator, executive, investor, community leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, you'll find fresh perspectives on how to turn your ideas and influence into meaningful impact.

It's especially relevant for anyone interested in:

• AI, emerging technology, and innovation for social good
• Social entrepreneurship and mission-driven business
• Accessibility, inclusive design, and expanding opportunity
• Strategic partnerships and cross-sector collaboration
• Scaling solutions to complex societal challenges
• Building a career, business, or legacy that creates positive change

Come curious. Leave with new possibilities, new perspectives, and one action you can take to create impact.